Man detained over attempted rape of pregnant woman in Cox's Bazar

A man has been detained for allegedly attempting to rape a pregnant woman after breaking into her house late at night in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar.

The incident took place at around 3:00am on Wednesday (27 May) in the Andharghona area of Kalarmarchhara union under Maheshkhali upazila.

The detainee has been identified as Md Hayat, 20.

According to Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdus Sultan, the suspect stabbed the victim and her husband while attempting to flee the scene after failing to commit the crime. 

Local residents caught Hayat and handed him over to the police.

The injured couple received medical treatment at the Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex, the OC said, adding that legal proceedings to file a case are currently underway.

Recounting the incident, the victim's husband, Kamrul Islam, said, "Late at night, my wife and I were asleep. At one point, Hayat entered the house by cutting through the thatched roof. He then attempted to rape my six-month pregnant wife while she was asleep."

"When I woke up upon hearing the sound of my wife scuffling, the accused tried to flee. He stabbed my wife and me as he attempted to escape, but locals caught him. We handed him over to the police when they arrived at the scene," Kamrul added.

According to local sources, Kamrul and Hayat used to work together as fishermen on the same deep-sea trawler. The two had recently engaged in an altercation over a trivial matter, during which Hayat reportedly threatened Kamrul's wife.

Abu Ahmed, acting chairman of Kalarmarchhara Union Parishad, said he rushed to the spot after being informed by locals and subsequently alerted the police.